U.S. President Donald Trump said on Saturday that the United States is starting to clear the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to South Korea, China, Japan and other energy-importing nations. The remarks refer to efforts to reopen the waterway disrupted by Iran's missile and drone attacks amid the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran. They came as Washington and Tehran launched their first negotiations to end the conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on Truth Social, "We're now starting the process of clearing out the Strait of Hormuz as a favor to Countries all over the World, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, Germany, and many others." He added, "Incredibly, they don't have the Courage or Will to do this work themselves."
Trump has repeatedly voiced frustration that NATO allies, South Korea, Japan and others have not heeded his requests for assistance, such as deploying naval warships to escort merchant vessels through the strait. The waterway, vital for these nations' energy imports, has faced severe disruptions from Iran's missile and drone attacks during the U.S.-Israeli war against the Islamic Republic.
The comments came as Washington and Tehran began their first round of negotiations in Islamabad on Saturday local time, aimed at ending their war, following a two-week ceasefire agreement earlier this week. Concerns persist over the ceasefire's implementation amid Israel's strikes on the Iranian-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iran's restrictions on strait traffic.
Trump's announcement highlights the U.S. leading the clearing efforts unilaterally amid a lack of international support.
